RCCL Casino - Tight?

[Deckhawk]

I just returned from a RCCL cruise and I'm wondering your thoughts on something. While I was on the cruise, I gambled for around 2 hours each day at craps, averaging around $60 - $70/roll. The staff was very nice, but it was just weird that they never offered to pickup any of my drinks. Other cruise lines have always offered to buy at least a few drinks when I have been playing. The other thing that was sort of weird is that I wasn't invited into the player's club at the end of the cruise.

 

I don't play for the perks, but it was just weird that none seemed to be extended. Is this normal for RCCL at that level?

[ParrothdJH]

I just returned from a RCCL cruise and I'm wondering your thoughts on something. While I was on the cruise, I gambled for around 2 hours each day at craps, averaging around $60 - $70/roll. The staff was very nice, but it was just weird that they never offered to pickup any of my drinks. Other cruise lines have always offered to buy at least a few drinks when I have been playing. The other thing that was sort of weird is that I wasn't invited into the player's club at the end of the cruise.

 

I don't play for the perks, but it was just weird that none seemed to be extended. Is this normal for RCCL at that level?

Depends on how your $60-$70 was wagered. Some casinos don't count odds in your average bet rating since they have no advantage.

[Deckhawk]

Just to clarify - $60-$70 is without odds. And many times I was laying single and (at times) double odds on the DP and the DC...also making $100 - $120 lay bets....

[Yo Eleven]

Deckhawk,

 

I was on the Liberty of the Seas and RCCL in my opinion has the worst casino hosting and staff I have ever encountered on a cruise ship. It doesn't surprise me one bit they didn't offer you anything. Don't take it personally. It is because they are cheap and know you are trapped there.

 

Interesting how someone else here mentions how someone here is just playing for drinks and how that is stupid, yadda yadda yadda. I get your point here in this thread. As I tried to explain cruise casinos are NOT like vegas casinos. To me getting an invite is a popularity contest when it comes to getting invited. They either like you or don't. It is a real crappy way to rate a player. But, don't worry about it. Just try to beat them at their games and when you are ahead stop playing and walk away with their money.

 

Good thread by the way.

[cb at sea]

A ship doesn't need to "entice" you to stay and play in their casino....they've got the market cornered...you have nowhere else to gamble!

[Gordo]

We were on the Adventure of the Seas last fall and played blackjack for a couple hours almost every night at a table with a $25 minimum and wasn't offered anything complimentary.

 

We weren't looking for free drinks, but it sure would have been nice to have been offered.

[ParrothdJH]

I just returned from a RCCL cruise and I'm wondering your thoughts on something. While I was on the cruise, I gambled for around 2 hours each day at craps, averaging around $60 - $70/roll. The staff was very nice, but it was just weird that they never offered to pickup any of my drinks. Other cruise lines have always offered to buy at least a few drinks when I have been playing. The other thing that was sort of weird is that I wasn't invited into the player's club at the end of the cruise.

 

I don't play for the perks, but it was just weird that none seemed to be extended. Is this normal for RCCL at that level?

In my experience with both lines if you're not betting black chips you're not going to get much, especially on RCI. NCL is more liberal, especially when you qualify for their Players Club", where all your casino drinks are comped. For example, I sailed RCI Jewel last October and was offered nothing,never met the casino hosts, although my drinks were free beacuse it was a cruise comped by Harrah's. Sailed the NCL Pearl, booked through CAS, Played at the same level as on the Jewel, the Hosts found me the second night and comped me 2 $150 spa credits, dinner for 2 at Cagneys and Le Bistro, and checked almost every day to see if they could do anything else for me and my son.The downside is, although I love my Bourbon, I never drink when gambling, so the comped drinks on both cruises were basically a non issue for me(although I would order a double right before leaving the table), but my son more than made up for it with his Player's card. Even when he wan't playing he would stop by the casino bar, show his card, get a drink and move on. In other words,my experience has been,NCL treats it's players a lot better.

[Deckhawk]

Looks like I'll have to try NCL casinos. What's the age bracket like? I don't want to be on a ship where the average age is death...

[ParrothdJH]

Looks like I'll have to try NCL casinos. What's the age bracket like? I don't want to be on a ship where the average age is death...

My observation is a bit of a younger crowd on NCL than on my last RCI cruise, mostly

30s-60s

[jty1220]

Gambling only 2 hours aday wont get you anything with RCI. In order to get noticed and invited into Club Royale you need to hit at least 3-4 hours a day with Minimum bets of $50 for tables

[ParrothdJH]

Gambling only 2 hours aday wont get you anything with RCI. In order to get noticed and invited into Club Royale you need to hit at least 3-4 hours a day with Minimum bets of $50 for tables

Just depends on your average bet for the two hours

[Yo Eleven]

Gambling only 2 hours aday wont get you anything with RCI. In order to get noticed and invited into Club Royale you need to hit at least 3-4 hours a day with Minimum bets of $50 for tables

 

Just depends on your average bet for the two hours

Here are the FACTS. This from an email I received last year regarding how to get rated.....

 

Thank you for inquiring about our Club Royale, Royal Caribbean's new player program. Players are invited to join the program by the Casino Managers onboard based on the amount of time played and average bet. To qualify a player must play at least three hours per day during their cruise, placing the following minimum bets: Blackjack/Dice at $50.00 per hand/roll; Caribbean Stud/Let It Ride/Three Card Poker /Roulette at $25.00 per hand/spin; Slots at $5.00 per spin. Guests who play to the above qualifications will be invited to join our players program. After qualifying, then the member will be offered discounts off future cruises based on level of play.

 

We also have on eight of our ships: Mariner of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, and the Liberty of the Seas automated player tracking for our slot machines. These allow guests to earn points for onboard redemption of gifts. These points expire at the end of the voyage. This is separate from our players program.

 

Once you are onboard and the casino is open, you should introduce yourself to the Casino Manager so that you can have your play tracked. If your play merits, you will be invited to join the program and start to earn discounts towards future Royal Caribbean cruise vacations.

[Rochesterboatingdotcom]

Wow - $5 spin for 3-4 hours a day just to get a discount? We get comped cruises on NCL playing less than a buck on the penny machines. Not to mention the free drink card which saved me at least $400 on our last cruise..

[Deckhawk]

I know - that is BS. I'm not even sure that the craps table is open three full hours on port days. On some days you would need to skip dinner and do nothing but dice.

 

I'm not saying I haven't done it....but at a certain point it looses it fun.

 

=-Ray-=

[nancronin]

We (DH and myself) both belong to Club Royale - we do not play $5 slots but play for hours (usually from right after dinner until close to closing and a couple of hours on sea days) - we usually play pennies or nickels and usually max and were asked to join 3 years ago on the Mariner at the end of the week. As members we receive free drinks in the casino (and we take full advantage of that) and we receive about $800 toward our next cruise or as cash waiting for us on next cruise (after a 7 or 8 day cruise - this last cruise we earned $875 back). We only play slots and a couple of those nights we don't play at all - they have been good to us and we appreciate it because we're going to be playing regardless. They offer many comp cruises (just pay taxes and port fees) but have not taken advantage of any of those yet. :D

[Casino Player]

I know - that is BS. I'm not even sure that the craps table is open three full hours on port days. On some days you would need to skip dinner and do nothing but dice.

 

I'm not saying I haven't done it....but at a certain point it looses it fun.

 

=-Ray-=

 

HHHHHEEEEELLLLLLLLLLOOOOO Deckhawk: It has been my experience that even on port days the craps table is open three or more hours even if you leave at a later time. And that is without skipping dinner and shows.

If while playing craps it loses being fun, then I don't like to stay there myself. Last year I was on the Carnival Dream and most players stopped playing at the Craps table before 0100 hours or 1 in the morning. The month before I was on the Triumph and they had to run us off the tables as the Casino closed.

[Deckhawk]

Just to compare - I took a look at a letter I got from the Celebrity/Azamara player's club. It is the same exactly language except one hour instead of three. I guess RCCL has more people in the casino so they can choose to be a little tigher....

[yellowbird23]

Looks like I'll have to try NCL casinos. What's the age bracket like? I don't want to be on a ship where the average age is death...

Do you eat with that mouth?

[evergladesgator]

Yeah, if he's lucky and someone don't kick the $$$$$ out of him he may live to see what it's like to approach what he calls DEATH.:(:( I'd rather play with some conservative death people than some LOUDMOUTH hollaring in my ear while playing minimum bets.

[Deckhawk]

Yeah, if he's lucky and someone don't kick the $$$$$ out of him he may live to see what it's like to approach what he calls DEATH.:(:( I'd rather play with some conservative death people than some LOUDMOUTH hollaring in my ear while playing minimum bets.

 

 

Wow...so touchy. Don't get too upset about that. Don't want the blood pressure to rise too much.

[evergladesgator]

Naw, never happen. I take medication for that !!! HaHaHa:D

[canuckcruiselover]

We (DH and myself) both belong to Club Royale - we do not play $5 slots but play for hours (usually from right after dinner until close to closing and a couple of hours on sea days) - we usually play pennies or nickels and usually max and were asked to join 3 years ago on the Mariner at the end of the week. As members we receive free drinks in the casino (and we take full advantage of that) and we receive about $800 toward our next cruise or as cash waiting for us on next cruise (after a 7 or 8 day cruise - this last cruise we earned $875 back). We only play slots and a couple of those nights we don't play at all - they have been good to us and we appreciate it because we're going to be playing regardless. They offer many comp cruises (just pay taxes and port fees) but have not taken advantage of any of those yet. :D

 

Here's my experience on Jewel of the Seas earlier this year. I began playing mostly $5 a hand video poker for a couple of hours a day and even won some jackpots. At the end of the second day, the casino host gave me a card for comp drinks in the casino and asked if I would like to join Club Royale. On the third day, or maybe 4th, I moved to the 2 cent slots, playing the max of $3 and won constantly. It was a 9 night cruise so I played 3-4 hours a day but I wouldn't consider $3 a big bet. I ended up $6,000 ahead at the end of the cruise which is much more than I usually win at land casinos.

 

3 months later, I received the Club Royale membership number and $1850 off my next cruise. So, hubby and I immediately booked a cruise for Jan, 2011 (he gets to use the comp, too). You have to pay the $500 deposit and additional taxes and then it's refunded at the cashier cage on your next cruise. PLUS . . . a month or so later, I received an invitation for two to go on the Allure pre-inaugural. I reluctantly passed it up as it was too close to our January cruise. I have sailed on Navigator and Liberty before and this was the first time I ever ended up a winner.

[JMG680]

Thanks for all the great info. I was hopping to get the players card, but not sure I can play those amounts without getting taken to the cleaners. I will

Just have to play and see. I am on the Voyager of the Seas on Feb 20-27. I will let you know how it goes.

[JMG680]

Thank you for inquiring about our Club Royale, Royal Caribbean's new player program. Players are invited to join the program by the Casino Managers onboard based on the amount of time played and average bet. To qualify a player must play at least three hours per day during their cruise, placing the following minimum bets: Blackjack/Dice at $50.00 per hand/roll; Caribbean Stud/Let It Ride/Three Card Poker /Roulette at $25.00 per hand/spin; Slots at $5.00 per spin. Guests who play to the above qualifications will be invited to join our players program. After qualifying, then the member will be offered discounts off future cruises based on level of play.

 

We also have on eight of our ships: Mariner of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, and the Liberty of the Seas automated player tracking for our slot machines. These allow guests to earn points for onboard redemption of gifts. These points expire at the end of the voyage. This is separate from our players program.

 

Once you are onboard and the casino is open, you should introduce yourself to the Casino Manager so that you can have your play tracked. If your play merits, you will be invited to join the program and start to earn discounts towards future Royal Caribbean cruise vacations.

 

 

 

Is it possible to get rated on the 4 day cruises. I am taking a 4 day out of Miami in April and was wondering?